Dec 7, 2001 by Catholic News Herald

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Western North Carolina

Advent

Our Lady of Mercy

Greccio re-enactment brings creche story to in

the Diocese of Charlotte

Festival

Parish

— Winston-Salem

life

Hickory ...Page

CCHS students prove to be good sports ...Page

News

Local Advent 2001-

Father James Hawker, pastor of St. Luke Charlotte shares for third

message

week of Advent ...Page

Infusing technology into

ministry ...Page

Dedicated Catholic solidifies faith life through

diaconate ...Page

Every Week Entertainment

Editorials

.Pages

10-11

...Pages

12-13

& Columns Photos by Barbara S. Baker

A Christian who has not learned to is

not fully Christian.

brothers' keepers;

We are our

we are bound to

each other by the bond of love

- Pope John Insegnamenti

IV,

Paul

parish held an Advent Festival Dec. 2. The second annual festival invited children and families to learn about Advent, while making Advent crafts. Pictured clockwise from top: Alina and Andrew Lue make candles; Alisa Ortman helps her daughter, Amanda, make a Christmas wreath; members of the parish youth group, Chris Irons, Kelsey Redmond, Kristen Raliski, Emily Dillard, Phil Berry, D.J. High and Michael Metzbower work on crafts; Charles Sangueza applies glue on an Advent project; and Jacob Miller wears the Advent chain he's preparing.

Our Lady of Mercy

see and love Christ in his neighbor

1, 476-77

The Catholic News & Herald

Ihe World

December 7, 2001

Brief

Catholic Daughters of

Americas build sixth Habitat for Humanity home

DILWORTH,

Minn. (CNS)

with affection and supports you in your difficult journey," the pope said Dec. 1, the U.N. -declared World AIDS Day. Pope John Paul made his remarks during a Vatican meeting of Catholics who volunteer in various

—

Six years ago, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas were challenged to become one of the first women's organizations to build a home for

areas of health care.

'Here

Habitat for Humanity. The group took up the challenge in Oklahoma City and has since helped build six other houses across the country, including their most recent home in Dilworth, in the Crookston Diocese.

Am, Lord" won

one of us can make a difference," Bishop J. Terry Steib of Memphis, Tenn., said. "Let us pray that we find words and actions, faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that will prevent the spread of HIV." The bishop noted the "painful reality" that African-

Americans account

for 38 percent cases nationwide and make up 57 percent of total AIDS cases among women, 59 percent of new AIDS cases among children, and 39 percent of new cases among men.

of total

AIDS

Catholic NEWS & H

Decembe

Volume

•

R A L

2001

Washington. The Benedictine monks of Santo Domingo de Silos in Spain won awards for two albums in

—

CNS

Number

Most Reverend William G. Curlin Editor: Joann S. Keane Staff Writer: AleshaM. Price Graphic Designer: Tim Faragher Advertising Representative: Cindi Feerick

Beason 1 1 23 South Church St. Charlotte, NC 28203 Mail: P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237

Secretary: Sherill

other usual yuletide trappings apart from a few lights and a tree in Manger Square. Bethlehem has been a flash point for violence since the Palestinians began an uprising 14 months ago.

@ charlottediocese .org

Churches have a role in preventing spread of AIDS, priest says

except

for

Christmas week and Easter week and every

two weeks during June, July and August for enrollees in

for $1

5 per year

Roman

Catholic Diocese and $18 per year for all other subscribers. Second-class postage paid at Charlotte NC and

parishes of the

year.

songs

"grandfathered" for consideration in initial years of the awards, which are just in their second year.

the

WASHINGTON

(CNS)

—

— Pope

John Paul II promised the millions of people suffering from AIDS in the world that the Catholic Church prays for them, will help them and supports the search for a cure. "Dear brothers and sisters ill with AIDS, do not think you are alone. The pope is near to you

and war. Speaking Dec. 2 to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during a midday blessing, the pope noted the day's liturgy contained Isaiah's Old Testament prophecy that the nations "shall beat their swords into plowshares" and renounce warfare.

church-related organizations. Catholic

The

a role to play in preventing the spread

representatives in the alliance, accord-

to Father Vitillo, include Franciscans International and

ing

of AIDS, says a priest who is co-chair of the AIDS task force for Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican's umbrella

CIDSE,

agency for international relief. "We need to do education for prevention," said Father Robert Vitillo, who is also

church prays for them,

head of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the U.S. bishops' domestic anti-poverty arm. "All churches need to be more sensitive to the impact of HIV/AIDS." On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, an educational ini-

episcopal. calendar ,

in thefollowing events:

—

December

12 4 p.m. Dedication of renovated chapel Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, Belmont

December

— 10

a.m. Ordination to priesthood of Rev. Messrs.

Adrian Porras and Christopher Roux St. Patrick,

Charlotte

December 24

— Christmas Eve

St. Patrick,

December 25 1 1

a.m.

— Christmas

Mass

St. Patrick,

Pope

Charlotte

tells

AIDS sufferers that

VATICAN CITY

will

(CNS)

help

ensemble and children's choir

Diocesan December

CHARLOTTE

Church

Group

pi anner

works of Handel, Dawson, Martin,

— The

Guild will host a reception following the concert in the activity center. For further details, call the church office at (704) 554-7088.

Arthritis Support

will

meet

cities.

POSTMASTER: Send

address corrections

News &

The Catholic

Herald, P.O. Box 37267,

Charlotte,

28237.

2 p.m. Mass Holy Angels, Belmont

this

St.

Gabriel

and Education

morning from

10-

Room D

Victoria and Pergolesi.

St. Patrick,

Charlotte

The Women's

CHARLOTTE — No

ultreyas will

invited to attend a

Christmas party

from 4-7 p.m.

home of Dan and

a.m. in

CHARLOTTE — The Happy TimAnn

Church, 3635 Park Rd., Christmas party today at 4 the parish center. Members and

ers of St.

will host a

welcomed to attend for refreshments and a musical program. For further information about

non-members

are

the party or bingo held every at 7:30 p.m., call Charles

398-0879.

—

New Year's Eve Dec. 31 Midnight Mass

will

present music and songs featuring the

of the parish ministry center located at 3016 Providence Rd. For further details, call (704) 3625047, Ext. 217. 1 1

p.m. in

Charlotte

a France-based association of

Catholic development agencies.

—

VATICAN CITY

Monday

be held during the month of

CHARLOTTE

Nesto

—A

at (704)

at the

Lynne Hines, 4601 Pineland Place. For more information, call Dan Hines at (704)

544-6665.

CHARLOTTE — The

cient

The

Ladies

An-

Order of Hibernians Division

Mecklenburg County-$t.

Brigid, an

Irish-Catholic social and charitable inter-parish group, will

meet tonight

7:30 p.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Festival of

Carols and Lessons will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., at 2 p.m.

Decem-

ber. All Charlotte-area Cursillistas are

of Charlotte

other

spokeswoman were being

association

older

said

cool world situation (CNS) Pope John Paul II said he hoped a churchwide day of fasting in December and an interreligious summit in January would, help cool down the international situation, marked by multiple wars. Meanwhile, the Vatican announced it was collecting donations that on Christmas Day the pope would allocate to victims of terrorism

was unveiled by the EcumeniAdvocacy Alliance, a group of 62

tiative

cal

nation's religious denominations have

Midnight Mass The Catholic News & Herald, USPC 007-393, is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203, 44 times a year, weekly

released in 1994 "Chant" and "Chant Christmas," both of which were recorded in the 1970s. Dana Scallon, who records under the name of Dana, won seven Unity Awards and Vince Ambrosetti won five, in results announced during the ceremony at The Catholic University of America. Schutte, once a member of the singing group known as the St. Louis Jesuits, also won with "Here I Am, Lord" as liturgical song of the

Pope says he hopes days of fasting, prayer help

Phone: (704) 370-3333 FAX: (704) 370-3382 E-mail catholicnews

photo from Reuters

Schoolboys look over nativity scene in Bethlehem church Palestinian Christian schoolboys look over a Nativity scene in a church in Bethlehem Nov. 29. Christmas activities in the town this year will be limited to religious services. The town announced that it will forgo the

Bishop William G. Curlin mill take part

Publisher:

the song of the year

at the Unity Awards sponsored by the United Catholic Music and Video Association and held Dec. 1

whom it was built, family members and friends of the Catholic Daughters and student volunteer

—

hymn "Here

award

for

(CNS) In a statement marking Dec. as World AIDS Day, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on African-American Catholics urged people to give prayerful support to those living with HIV/AIDS. "The actions of each

Unity

—

spent four years in a Turkish refugee camp. Hundreds of volunteers helped build the home, including the family

WASHINGTON

named

Lord'

Schutte's 20-year-old

The Minnesota home was built this fall for a Kurdish and Muslim family who fled their home in Iraq and then

groups from local colleges. Volunteers from local parishes and businesses provided meals. The Catholic Daughters' Minnesota state court sponsored the project. Bishop calls for prayerful support for all who live with HIV/AIDS

Am,

Awards' song of the year WASHINGTON (CNS) Dan

adult choir, youth

Providence Rd. Anyone interested in roots, call Irish-Catholic Jeanmarie Schuler at (704) 554-0720 their

for further information.

December 7, 2001

The World

The Catholic News & Herald 3

Brief

Aid agencies returning to Afghanistan, but security

still

WASHINGTON may

Taliban

have been

risky

—

(CNS) all

tial effects on the poor, the vulnerable and future generations, he called for a change from a "resource intensive" economy based on fossil fuel to one that would be "knowledge intensive."

The

but eliminated

as a political force in Afghanistan in a

matter of weeks, but the humanitarian crisis left by decades of war, years of drought and a harsh winter will pose a

inexhaustible resource that assures a

said,

"Knowledge

sustainable environment and development." Poll links frequent Mass

much longer-term challenge, according to aid agencies. The most critical issue for the

attendance with support of church teachings

immediate future will be simple security for aid workers and for the stocks of food and relief supplies, said representatives of Cadiolic Relief Services, the U.N.

—

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The first

of a planned ongoing series of polls on

"Contemporary Catholic Trends" shows

World Food Program, Oxfam America

that Catholics

and the Council on Foreign Relations. But

weekly are more

they also want the international nity to

pay attention to other

commu-

issues,

the only true

who

attend

Mass

at least

support the

likely to

church's teachings on moral issues.

such

by Zogby International

poll

LeMoyne

The

in conjunction

as canceling Afghanistan's foreign debt

with

and helping create small,

asked 1,508 adult Catholics nationwide a

local

banking

series of questions

structures.

French law allowing gay couples to adopt draws church criticism PARIS (CNS) French church

—

about their religious and practices, their thoughts on various moral issues and their opinions about people of other faiths. It was released in Syracuse Nov. 16. A majority of those polled agree with Catholic teachings against abortion, euthanasia and the destruction of human embryos in stem-cell research, but those who go to Mass at least once a week were even more likely to agree beliefs

rep-

law changes that would give homosexual couples the right to adopt children. 'The church isn't against homosexuality and helps those affected," said Genevieve Vigne, secretary of the French bishops' resentatives have criticized proposed

with the church.

family commission. "But a child needs a

—

and mother in today's society, fractured by divorce and family break-ups, this new measure will merely fuel confusion." Vigne spoke as debate continued over amendments to France's 1999 Social father

amendments would extend marriage-style rights to gay Solidarity Pact; the

couples.

She

said Catholic

groups would

CNS photo

from Reuters

New York's patriotic Christmas tree Rockefeller Center Christmas tree glows in front of 30 Rockefeller Center in New York Nov. 28. First Lady Laura Bush and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had the honor of lighting the tree, strung in a patriotic spirit with 30,000 red, white and blue bulbs. The

urge parliamentarians to vote against the proposed measures.

Postulators unsure when new canonization dates will be set VATICAN CITY (CNS) The

process to be completed. For Italian Capu-

people most closely involved with the pro-

Blessed Juan Diego, the indigenous Mexi-

—

cesses for declaring Blessed Padre Pio

and

Msgr. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer saints said they have no idea when their

The

canonizations will be. the causes

—

postulators of

those responsible for present-

ing information about the potential saints theologians and physi-

to the Vatican,

cians

— must

its

wait for each step in the

CLEMMONS

—

Holy Family

Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., will be celebrating a charismatic

Mass

tonight

Father John Hoover from New Creation Monastery will be the celebrant The sacrament of reconciliation will be given at 7 p.m., and the laying on of hands will take place after Mass. The next Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m.

on Feb.

College in Syracuse, N.Y.,

For more information,

call

the church office at (336) 778-0600 or

Jim Passero

998-7503. 24 CHARLOTTE Volunteers will be needed for the St. Patrick Cathedral annual Christmas dinner held on Dec. 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. People are needed to: transport people to and from the dinner or deliver meals; help decorate, distribute gifts or carve turkeys; help cook or clean up; or donate gifts, warm clothing, monetary help or baked goods. Each year over 1,800 meals and gifts are distributed, and about 1,000 meals are delivered. For further information about volunteering or helping at (336)

the group from

—

Dec

24-26, call

Tamara

chin Padre Pio and the Spanish founder of

Opus

Dei,

can to

Msgr. Escriva, as well

whom Our Lady

of Guadalupe

may end

appeared, the process

as for

in late

De-

cember.

Nuncio says knowledge, ethics needed in approach

warming

to global

UNITED NATIONS The dangers

of global

should be approached with a combination of knowledge and ethical concern, the Vatican huncio to the United Nations said in a statement Nov. 28 in New York. Speaking to a committee of the U.N. General Assembly reviewing efforts to deal with climate change,

Archbishop Renato R. Martino called global

warming

"the great equalizer"

For further details, call Romanowski at (336) 885-8435.

and other information,

at 6 p.m.

di-

Susie

CHARLOTTE Perpetual and Daily Adoration

—

mornings immediately following the 9

reavement group meets every Monday evening from 6-7 p.m. in the family room at St. Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd. For details, call Ruth Posey, facilitator and CSS counselor, at (704) 3703238. CONCORD St. James Church, 251 Union St. North, invites anyone needing a special favor, healing, petition or

a.m.

—

Our Mother of Per-

Monday

at 7

p.m. For further details, call the church

720-0600.

—

Christ the King Church, 1505 East Kivett Dr., celebrates two Masses in other languages every Sunday. The Spanish Mass is held at 12:30 p.m., and the Korean Mass is held

tion curriculum is being endorsed in kindergarten through 12th grade in

Mass

until noon,

Wednesday

eve-

nings from 7:30-8:15 p.m. and every first Friday from 9:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. For more information, call the church at (828) 684-6098. ASHEVILLE The Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St, hosts daily

—

adoration from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For

information, call Jane Sorrells at (828)

298-0334.

BELMONT

—

Kathleen

Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., hosts perpetual adoration in a chapel on the grounds. For volunteer and other information, call Marie Siebers at (704) 827-6734. are invited to St.

Gabriel Church, 3016 Providence Rd., for perpetual adoration. For volunteer

—

St.

Thomas

Aquinas, 1400 Suther Rd., hosts eucharistic adoration every first Friday

from ristic

1:15 p.m.-midnight and euchaholy hour takes place every Fri-

day from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Aquinas Hall is open everyday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. For

more information, call the church office at (704) 549-1607.

HIGH POINT

—

Maryfield Nursing

Home, 1315 Greensboro

Rd., hosts per-

petual adoration in the chapel.

For

vol-

unteer and other information, call Theresa Hansen at (336) 273-1507.

SYLVA Belmont Abbey, 100

CHARLOTTE — All

call

Potter at (704) 366-5127.

grieving the loss of a loved one, a be-

HIGH POINT

programs for the office, added that any form of violence in schools is not accepted. She said the bullying preven-

the Erie Diocese.

But

office at (704)

up, the office

recting attention especially to poten-

— For anyone who

petual Help novena every

not be tolerated. And to back that is asking Catholic schools to implement a bullying prevention program by the end of the 2003-04 school year. "We're looking at this day and age when bullying has become acceptable to people," said Janice Whiteman, director of curriculum of the Catholic Schools Office. "We wanted to get the message out there that we don't accept bullying." Roberta Bucci, director of government will

warming

tionalities or cultural divides.

St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Dr., hosts eucharistic adoration on the following days: Friday

thanksgiving to the

issued a warning: Bullying in schools

—

(CNS)

ARDEN CHARLOTTE

—

that recognized no boundaries, na-

DelGrosso, pastoral coordinator, at (704) 334-2283, Ext. 29, with name, phone numbers and number of people volunteering by Dec. 21.

Ongoing

Erie Catholic schools use bully prevention program ERIE, Pa. (CNS) The Catholic Schools Office of the Erie Diocese has

—

place every

Eucharistic adoration takes first

Saturday at St

Church, 22 Bartlett

Mass call

until

St.,

3 p.m. For

Annette Leporis

Mary

following 9

am.

information,

at (828) 497-7464.

Please submit notices of events for the Diocesan Planner at least 1 0 days prior to the publication date.

The Catholic News & Herald

December 7, 2001

Around the Diocese

Greccio re-enactment held at Catholic Conference Center SIGMON

By ELLEN

sheep and goats.

Correspondent

—

HICKORY

Francis of Assisi are

Stories about St. still

Some

of Beam's children

portrayed shepherds.

being

told.

250 people learned about two of the

Some

The combined choirs of St. Joseph Newton and St. Aloysius Church

saint's

Hickory provided the music for the event

accomplishments while they watched a re-

After the re-enactment the audience and

enactment of the Nativity scene at Greccio, Italy, in 1 223 and the events leading up to it. The Fraternity of Brother Francis of the

choir sang Christmas carols, heard Luke's

Secular Franciscan Order organized the

Gospel account of the birth of Jesus, and recited the "Our Father," with comments according to St Francis. Then the group

re-enactment, held at the Catholic Confer-

processed into the conference center for

ence Center on Dec.

refreshments, singing carols as they

Francis and

some of his

friars

made

walked.

Members of other

100-mile journey over mountainous ter-

Rome, where Pope Honorius III approved the third Franciscan Rule on Nov. 29. (Pope Innorain

from Assisi

cent

III

approved the

first

Rule

in 1209).

While he was with die pope, Francis asked

could see and

feel

the conditions in which

he was born.

John

Velita, lord

friend of Francis,

of Greccio and a

owned

hill

complete

also

Aiken, S.C.

The

permission to recreate the story of Jesus' birth for the people of Greccio so that they

secular Franciscan

attended from the Franciscan Family of Greensboro; St. Clare, Winston-Salem; St. Maximillian Kolbe, Charlotte; and St. Clare of Assisi,

fraternities

Fraternity of Brother Francis

dedicated this year's event to

Herman

former minister (president). Thoni had wanted the group to do the live Thoni,

its

Nativity, but illness prevented his attend-

ing the

first

re-enactment held

last year.

help Francis stage the re-enactment and

He died of cancer on "I know that

gather the local people and animals that

Herman

they needed.

this crib at Greccio," said Bill Brockhoff, the

Following Francis' example, the Fraternity of Brother Francis gathered local people and animals for their event The youth group at St Joseph Church played

group's formation director.

with caves near the town. Velita agreed to

most of the parts, while Denny Schell was St Francis and Jerry Burke portrayed the pope. Three-month-old Sean Aberle was the baby Jesus. Dennis Cook of Newton, Scott Beam of Lincolnton and Ken Hilderman of Claremont supplied the cow, donkeys,

has a

much

Dec. 29. this

year Brother

better perspective of

"We hope our Franciscan spirit has spoken to your heart today," said Ruth Thoni, Herman Thoni's widow and the fraternity minister. "If you are lucky enough to have family, hold them especially close to your heart during this holiday season. The family unit is the spiritual army of our nation, and its leader is the Lord Jesus Christ"

Pictured top right: Joseph, played by John Robinson, leads a donkey carrying Mary, played by Maria Schell, to start the re-enactment of the Nativity. Pictured to the

left

and

right: Local

"villagers" of Greccio gather with their animals for the re-enactment

of the Nativity.

Let stairs be our problem... not yours! Ask about our Stairway

LIMEX

• Easily •

Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program Loyola University of

New

Orleans, through the Diocese of

attached to steps (not walls)

Folds out of the

• Fits

way

most stairways

(straight

& curved)

•

Very affordable (rent or buy)

•

install

Charlotte, offers accredited graduate degree programs arid certificate

programs

in Religious

Education or Pastoral Studies

at various diocesan locations.

(For information call Connie Milligan:

Chair

& Equipment

800 Central Ave. 704-364-3344)

Rentals

Charlotte,

lifts.

Sales, Inc.

(800) 333-8431

Member of St. Thomas Aquinas

The Catholic News & Herald 5

December 7, 2001

Vocati on$

Responding to the

God

call

service as priests

One of the most powerful expressions of Christianity is the generosity Through their priestly formation, our seminarians are amazed, humbled and affirmed by the tremendous spirit of love shown to

Editor's note:

we show

continually

them by

one another.

the people

of the Diocese of Charlotte.

This year, as your family celebrates the blessings of the Christmas Season, remember our seminarians in your prayers. Should your family wish to extend Christmas greetings, the following provides the names and addresses of the men in formation for the Diocese of Charlotte.

SENTIRE

please

Atkinson, John St. Vincent Seminary 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe,

Fowler, Leo Vincent Seminary 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Gonzalez, Enrique Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East Wynnewood Road

Ayala, Alejandro St. Vincent Seminary 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Wynnewood, PA 19096

Washington Cahill,

Wynnewood, PA 19096

Ten O'clock AM

The Cathedral of

Saint Patrick

Charlotte, North Carolina

Reception following Cathedral Hall

5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, 21210

Monk, Ryan

CUA Theological

College 401 Michigan Ave NE

Washington

20017

Ebright, James A. CUA Theological College 401 Michigan Ave NE

Starczewski, John Pope John XXIII National Seminary 558 South Avenue Weston, MA 02193

20017 Suelzer, Drew St. Vincent Seminary 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Engler, Chapin J. Pastoral Internship St.

Mr. Christopher Roux

St.

Eades, Michael

Mr. Adrian Porras

on Saturday the Fifteenth of December

Klinker, Joseph St. Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East Wynnewood Road Wynnewood, PA 19096

Theological College The Catholic University of America 401 Michigan Avenue, NE

Washington

Rev.

Lomonaco, Larry Mary Seminary

DeSilva, Ricardo St. Vincent Seminary 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650

Rev.

20017

Cesar, Julia St. Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East Wynnewood Road

Washington

Honour of your presence at the Lit-

urgy of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of

Hanic, Johnathan St. Mary Seminary 5400 Roland Avenue Baltimore, 21210

CUA Theological College 401 Michigan Avenue

Requests the

Wynnewood, PA 19096

20017

John Patrick

Washington

Bishop of Charlotte

Grosnick, Justin St. Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East Wynnewood Road

College

401 Michigan Avenue

The Most Reverend William G. Curlin

St.

Buettner, Matthew

CUA Theological

His Excellency

St.

15650

CUM CHRISTO

Charles

714 E. Union St. Morganton, NC 28655

Toole, Patrick St. Charles Borromeo Seminary 100 East

Wynnewood Road

lustice & Peace: Joe Purello(704) 370-3225

Special Ministries: Gerard A. Carter (704) 370-3250

Area Director: David Harold (336) 727-0705 Greensboro Satellite Office: (336) 274-5577 High Point Hispanic Center: (336) 884-5858

For information on the following programs, please contact the

please contact:

Father John Allen Office of Vocations

Diocese of Charlotte

CCHD

(704)

Casa Guadalupe

(336) 727-4745

Catholic Relief Services

(704) 370-3225

Disaster Relief

(704)

370-3250

Elder Ministry

(704)

370-3220

Family

(704) 370-3250

Hand Host

seminary preparing for the exciting challenge

of priestly service in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Many

seriously about their calling to the priesthood.

How about you?

370-3227

fteiugee Qffice; Cira Ponce (704) 370-6930

1 123 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203 Area Director: Geri King (704) 370-6155 Western Region: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Area Director: Sister Marie Frechette (828) 255-0146 Piedmont-Triad: 621 W. Second Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27108

pries

men are in

Elizabeth Thurbee (704)

Charlotte Region:

Wynnewood, PA 19096

Presently 21

Executive Pirecjor;

fiCATHOUC 1 SOCIAM S Sf RVicts

Life

Hand

Homes

Marriage Preparation

370-3234

(336)

725-HANO

(336)

725-HOST

(704)

370-3228

;

number

listed:

370-3230

Natural Family Planning

(704)

Operation Rice Bowl

(704) 370-3231

Prison Ministry (beeper)

(704) 581-7693

Programa Esperanza

(704) 370-6928

Respect Life

(704) 370-3229

Voices

for justice Legislative

Network (704)

370-3225

others are praying

1123 South Church

Street ÂŠ Charlotte,

NC 28203

ÂŠ www.cssnc.org

The Catholic News & Herald

People

December 7, 2001

the News

Don't blur parent-child distinction, Jesuit educator says A TUKWILA, Wash. (CNS) clearly defined and enforced distinction of the roles of parent and child is the key to a healthy family structure, according to a Jesuit priest and child

grants they owed her cash-strapped school for disabled children in one of South Africa's poorest provinces. German-born Precious Blood Sister Maria Patrick Resing, 57, was driving back to Umtata from the Eastern Cape capital of Bisho when her car collided with another vehicle. She had confronted welfare department officials in Bisho about a monthly grant that had been paid to Ikhwezi Lokusa (Morning Star) school for years before it "suddenly dried up with no warning a few months ago," said the provincial superior, Precious Blood

—

psychologist. And that structure is not a partnership, he said. "There is a general parenting philosophy that says somehow there is a democratic process in the family as though there is nothing over which a child should

not have a say," Father Michael J. Garanzini said. He spoke to pastors, pastoral

life

Sister

meeting sponsored by the CathoSchools Department of the Archdiocese of Seattle in early November.

eight years.

at a

Supreme Court

Justice Scalia lectures on religion and Constitution ST. LOUIS (CNS)—U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia received

lic

"The boundaries between being child in is

and being a parent are blurred"

instances, said the Jesuit, who president of Loyola University of

some

hearty applause and a few "amens" in a

Chicago.

lecture at the St. Louis archdiocesan pas-

Bush asked to honor

New

York

fire

CNS

chaplain

NEW

YORK (CNS)— Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has asked President Bush to award the Medal of Freedom posthumously to Franciscan Father Mychal F. Judge, the New York Fire Department chaplain who died at the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Schumer announced his action Nov. 18 at Engine Co. 1, the firehouse directly across the street from St. Francis of Assisi Church, where FaPresidential

ther Judge lived.

senator,

was joining him "On that tragic day

in in

reported Fides, the Vatican's missionary service. The priest, Father

Sudanese

lution until the end."

Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, is secretary-general of the Democratic Forces of Casamance Movement, a rebel group that has fought since

ask Senegalese priest to leave rebel group ROME (CNS) The bishops

—

1982 for independence for Senegal's

Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde

Casamance region. "We understand a priest committing himself to justice and peace, but this can never be through a political party and even

and Mauritania called on

a priest to

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West African bishops

Father Judge died as he lived serving others," Schumer and Clinton said in a letter to Bush. "When the

both houses of Congress and the Su-

leave a regional rebel group he heads,

the re-

Shouldn't they

Father Judge was at their side, where he remained offering comfort and abso-

firefighters entered the building,

Septem-

ber,

Thanksgiving proclamations have been issued by every president, starting with George Washington. Chaplains are

ing

said

Clinton, quest.

society reflect that constitutional principle."

preme Court opens with the marshal

New York's Hillary Rodham

toral center where he explained his views on the religion clauses of the Constitution. 'We had never forbidden the government from favoring religion over nonreligion," he said. "Innumerable traditions in our

photo from Reuters

Candles left for Harrison, Beatles star Candles and flowers are left on the Beatles star on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles Nov. 30 following the announcement of the death of George Harrison. The Beatles guitarist died Nov. 29 at age 58 after a long battle with cancer. Although raised in a Catholic household, he embraced Hinduism later in life. Harrison wrote the Beatles' hit song "Here Comes the Sun." Later, his song "My Sweet Lord," from a solo album, topped the charts

with Medal of Freedom

other

Hermenegild Makoro. Sister

Resing was principal of the school for

directors and principals

370-3332 now!

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say-

States,"

priest killed in latest

ambush in Uganda VATICAN CITY (CNS) In an

rebel-led

ambush

—

Uganda, the Lord's Resistance Army killed a Sudanese priest, the latest of several church workers killed by the rebel movement. Father Peter Obore died Nov. 24 when the rebels attacked a pick-up truck in which he and other passengers were riding in northern Uganda, the Vatican missionary news agency Fides reported. His body was taken to his parish in Nimule, in the southern Sudanese Diocese of

that uses

arrned conflict," the bishops said. Nun dies in car

accident after begging pay school grants CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) A nun died in a car accident on her way home from begging provincial government officials to pay

Torit. Officials in the Torit Diocese said

Father Obore had been returning to Sudan from a visit to a seminary in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. He was the third Sudanese priest to be killed along the border with Uganda.

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December 7, 2001

The Catholic News & Herald 7

Around the Region

Legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda tells teens never to give up on their dreams By SHEILA

OJENDYK

GREENVILLE

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

S.C.

came

Tommy

town

Somebody asked who was

for a

Lasorda said he coached many great players including nine National League Rookies of the Year.

now

two decades,

demand

as a motivational speaker,

great

Bishop Robert

Courtesy Photos

Lasorda told a story of three fathers

Each father was very proud of his son and told him so. The first father gave his son the keys to a new car, and the second father gave

Diocese of Charleston Bishop Robert Baker and

at their sons' graduation.

Tommy

Lasorda

Lasorda credits a nun

who

taught

athletic facilities:

the tennis

dedication

ceremony followed the fields. Margaret

blessing of the athletic

Ann Moon, president of the board of trustees, Courtesy Photos

Tommy and Jo

Lasorda holding a letterman's jacket.

and Keith

Kiser, headmaster,

him

parochial

Liverpool, Ohio.

school in East

The nun

believed in

him, and to this day he carries her picture in his wallet.

told the stu-

dents, "Teachers dedicate their lives to all

of you.

The guys who

make more,

trash

what they

do.

pick up the

but teachers love

"Take advantage of it."

Lasorda then spoke about parents. you're sick, they take care of

When

you're hungry, they feed

for them?" He urged the teens to give their parents love and respect. "Don't ever do anything to embarrass them or hurt them." He also added that parents owe their

What do you do

children a

good education.

Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 20 years and took them to the World Series four times. He said he had

reached the top of the mountain, but he wanted another mountain to climb: he

wanted the United States to win an Olympic gold medal for baseball beis America's game." never met 23 of the 24 players when he began coaching the American team, but he told them, "When this is over, the whole world is going to know who you are. " They won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Lasorda opened the floor to questions. One person asked him what he would say to teens to change their lives. He replied, "You've got to believe in yourself." He spoke of dreaming about pitching in Yankee Stadium with the legendary players. He had this dream quite often, and it came back to him

cause "baseball

He had

honored

Steve Francis and Kenneth Padgett for their service to the school.

a Knight of the

you....

it.

new

ball fields.

you.

price -you can reach

They

win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. " (l

court and the soccer, softball, and base-

nal goal of becoming a pilot.

want to pay the It's up to you."

four

speech, he decided to pursue his origi-

Lasorda stressed to the teens, "You can be whatever you want to be.... If you dedicate yourself to it-and you

athlete

we run other races in life." He urged the teens to make each day count and reminded them that a coach only looks at today's game, not next week's game. "The race is run here and now.... Let tomorrow take care of itself. Take it one day at a time." After the brief prayer service in the school chapel, Bishop Baker blessed the

'When

fighter pilot in Operation Desert Storm.

Every

race as

God

a decorated

so as to win.

Corinthians 9:24-25) Bishop Baker thanked Lasorda for his contribution to the world of sports and stressed the importance of integrating athletic ability with the mind and soul. 'We should run our spiritual

denies." After the cadet heard Lasorda's

became

Run

exercises discipline in every way.

win

son a check for $10,000. The third father did not hand his son a gift, and the son asked why he received nothing when the other two sons received such lavish gifts. His father then told him, "I'm giving you the world. Go out and earn it!" Lasorda shared an event from his own life. He was the third-string pitcher for his high-school baseball team. One day, he told his coach that he and the first and second-string pitchers would pay money to see him play in the major leagues within 10 years. Nobody believed him at tHe time, but his prediction came true. He added, "It happened, but nobody handed it to me." Lasorda has spoken at the U.S. Air Force Academy eight times and twice each at West Point and Annapolis. He

cadet,

prize?

his

That

Philip Benizi in

St.

thing you want to be."

that

Columbus

Father Hayden Vavarek, pastor of Moncks Corner, read an except from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the

urging students to get a good education. "Education is something no one can take away from you.... You have the opportunity to be any-

mean

Baker processed into

honor guard.

Lasorda."

had a memorable story from a visit to the Air Force Academy. He and his wife had been assigned a cadet to take them around. The cadet told him he had entered the Air Force because he wanted to be a pilot. The young man never learned how to fly, however, because he had been hit by a line drive during a baseball game and spent three weeks in the hospital. His doctor told him he could never fly. At this point in the story, Lasorda interjected, "Because

the chapel with a Knights of

He began by

a general,

stressed to his

what they did had a huge impact on young people. He said he believed in them and gave them opportunity, but they made themselves stars. After Lasorda finished his talk,

and he talks at many schools. On Nov. 18, he spoke to the Upstate students in the event billed as "An. Afternoon With

now

players that they were role models and

ers for

delays does not

the

greatest player he had ever coached.

Lasorda, a baseball player with the Brooklyn Dodgers and later the legendary manager of the Los Angeles Dodg-

God

time.

Mantle, and Ted Williams. He added that Williams was the best hitter.

Field on Nov. 18.

Tommy

first

Another person asked him who were the greatest baseball players. Lasorda named Willie Mays, Mickey

fund-raising dinner on Nov. 15 and dedication of the school's Lasorda Family

called to pitch

against Yogi Berra for the

Lasorda had no problem catching the attention of students at St. Joseph High School. The first thing he said was, "Fifty-two years ago I stole a girl from here and took her to many places." Lasorda and his wife, the former Jo Miller of Greenville,

when he was

vividly

for The Miscellany

Round

Each was named

Table, and organi-

zation founded to recognize supporters of St.

Joseph High School.

Lasorda was named an honorary Knight of the Round Table, and he and wife were presented his with letterman's jackets. Lasorda shared his wife's comment about the school needing a gymnasium. Jo Lasorda has issued a challenge to the school to build a and will donate $25,000 from her foundation to help fund it. The last event of the day was a softball game between the St. Joseph High School All Stars, coached by Tommy Lasorda, and a team of local celebrities and dignitaries, coached by U. S. Congressman Jim DeMint. Jo Lasorda threw out the first pitch of the two-inning game. The All Stars won

gym

10 to

The Catholic News & Herald

Catholic-Methodist

dialogue group looks at nature of church NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic

By CATHOLIC

and United Methodist scholars and leaders

met

Washington

December 7, 2001

Around the Diocese

CCHS champ teams play with mind, heart and soul

recently to discuss the

The second meeting ofthe sixth round of the United Methodist-Catholic Dialogue

ALESHA M. PRICE

nature of the church both universal and local

CCHS

BOYS'

SOCCER TEAM

took place Nov. 9-12 at St Paul's College in

Staff Writer

— With

CHARLOTTE

mount-

Germany, and Catholic Bishop William Wash. reported to the participants on the recently completed Bishops' Council (Methodist) and Synod of

ing tension, cheering crowds and anxious coaches as a backdrop, three Charlotte Catholic High School (CCHS) teams scored winning seasons this year. The girls' volleyball and tennis and boys' soccer teams all earned the title of North Carolina Division 2-A state champions for the 2001-2002 school year. Augustinian Father James

Bishops (Catholic).

Cassidy,

Washington on the theme, 'The church versal

and

The

uni-

local."

co-chairmen of the dialogue

—

Methodist Bishop Walter Klaiber of Frankfurt,

—

Skylstad of Spokane,

"Debates

both the council and synod

CCHS

principal, said that the

wins are characteristic of the students' dedication and drive; however, sports are but one aspect of the students' lives at one of the diocese's two Catholic high

over questions of subsidiarity, collegiality

and die relationship of universal and local dimensions of church decision-making, though different in the Methodist and Catholic churches, drew on the same theological roots and addressed the same questions of

schools.

"The hard work, teamwork and cooperation that our kids have learned

bishops" Secretariat for Ecumenical and In-

and are sharing with one another are clearly evident and manifests itself in their team sports," said Father Cassidy,

terreligious Affairs, said in a statement issued

who

after the dialogue session.

service projects that each

mission and pastoral care," Christian Brother Jeffrey Gros, associate director

The

of the US.

dialogue group also heard talks by

Dennis Doyle of the University of Dayton and

CCHS

GIRLS'

TENNIS TEAM

Bruce Robbins of the General Commission on Christian Unity

and

Interreligious

the United Methodist cal

kids are really

team addigroup project. "Our hardworking and do a

good job

of their endeavors.

tionally performs a

in all

have three championship teams

Concerns of

school shows what

Church on the theologi-

understandings of "koinonia," or

noted that along with individual

am proud

commun-

two traditions. "The fruitful discussion enabled the mem-

our are about, and I in

of that."

ion, in the

bers of the dialogue both to appreciate one

Getting their kicks Men's and women's major league

some common

soccer has been gaining popularity in

another's traditions

and

identify

the United States for several years.

ground; and also plan for the next set of papers

which aiable us to get to

know one

primarily what comes to

another's

understanding and practice of church

life

many Americans

think of the sport anyone except the goalie to touch the ball with the hands. In a country defined by baseball and football, soccer has had to carve its own niche in sports' society. The sport is played in high schools and colleges everywhere, and CCHS is no exception.

even

more deeply," Brother Gros said. Led by Richard Gaillarderz of the University of Toledo and Jarrett Gray of the St Paul School of Theology in Kansas City,

Mo,

where

the

dialogue group also studied "Speaking the

Truth

in Love,"

a document on the question of

teaching authority that

was produced by an

World Methodist

Council and die Pontifical

"This discussion explored both theological the prophetic character of the

church's teaching authority, which are important in the US. context and also the style oftext

to be developed that can contribute to the

worldwide theological discussion and the concrete, practical situation

of our churches to-

gether in America," Brother Gros said Practical matters both locally

and world-

wide made up the third area of discussion

for

the Catholic-Methodist dialogue group.

Bishop Klaiber talked about the devel-

opment of the Carta Fxumenica of Europe, approved by the Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Angkcan churches of both Eastern and Western Europe. Bishop Skylstad talked about the work of the Cathokc bishops of the Northwest on the pastoral on the Columbia River as an example of a local environmental concern which has both global and local impkcations.

The next meeting will take place May 6-8 in

San Pedro,

on the

Calif,

with discussions expected

structure of each church in order to

identify areas

ofconvergence and challenges.

illegal for

boys' soccer team won the championship game against Swansboro High School, down to the penalty-kick phase of the game. Throughout the season, a loss to one of the team's biggest rivals, Myers Park High School, actually prepared the team for the playoffs, senior Aaron Blais said: "We felt like we dominated them in the first half. Our coach stresses that

state

Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

issues, like

it is

The

commission sponsored by the

international

It is

mind when

CCHS

GIRLS'

VOLLEYBALL TEAM

we were ready for the playoff run we saw our potential."

be-

cause

two 40 minutes and the other 80 minutes. If no team In regular play, there are

halves per

game

— one

scores or the score is tied during this game, then two 10-minute halves are

same thing occurs, then two five-minute halves are played until one team scores. In the case where the score is still tied or no team has

played. If the

time for the penalty Kevin Benfield, who was named 2-A all-state conference scored, then

it is

kick, said senior

player of the year. The penalty kick consists of five players trying to score a goal. The best

of five kicks wins the game. In the

final

December 7, 2001

Around

th e

The Catholic News & Herald 9

Diocese

Second to none game

of the playoffs,

CCHS

scored the

winning goal under the direction of Coach Gary Hoilett and with the help of Benfield and Blais. The last game of their high school careers will be etched

memories for years to come. Blais was the last player to kick in the final game and said that he could barely watch his teammates because of the intensity of the final minutes of the in

their

match.

"There were four of us on the field, and we were all praying the whole

who was named most "We freshman goalie this year, but we

time," said Blais,

valuable player in the finals match.

had a were pretty confident in his ability. We thought it would come down to one team getting tired and kept thinking about last year's 2-0 loss to them. wanted to make sure that didn't happen again. To know that we had finally beat them felt awesome."

Home-court advantage girls

curricular activity listed

their roster of

Though not a requirement of Larry McLaughlin, their coach high school events.

and

CCHS

algebra teacher, several of the

teens play tournaments in the off-season.

Their love of the sport was displayed in their winning matches this year. This team consisted of Michelle Alexander, sophomore,

who

placed

first

tournament, Kate Tans, junior; and Natalie Rossi, senior, who placed second in the state in the doubles tournament. The team who wins five of the six singles and three doubles matches played wins the state tourna-

in the state in the singles

ment. Out of 32 teams, CCHS rallied until the end and was victorious. "I believe these girls could have been state champs last year, but they had to believe it," McLaughlin said. "I always like to see

young people achieve what

they think they can achieve. Each girl

had a tough struggle

every match, and

they came to the forefront.

The team

whole was very young, and

think

as a

did well."

Rossi and Tans played against a team from Shelby who were three-time state champs and had been playing together for four years. The teens were at a disadvantage, teamed up for doubles matches for a year or less. "We had never seen that type of competition before," Rossi

team spiked its championship defeated Southern Vance High School on Nov. 3 in Raleigh. The Lady Cougars are not only state champs;

way to when it

girls' volleyball

a third

state

—

they are 78-0 undefeated for the past two seasons. After the team broke the old 76-0 record at the semifinals, it could not be stopped and reached its goal in the finals against Southern Vance. "Talent is not something that can be coached," said Tim Leary, parttime coach and full-time chef. "An undefeated record happens if you have kids who can play. It takes a lot of dedication, and a lot of the kids accepted what I asked them to do. After they won the first season, they be-

came

really driven; this

group

really

cared."

The team faced challenges in and out of this season: daily practices after school and on Saturday mornings, weights and exercising, key players under 5 feet, 3 inches, and several key players who graduated last year. Leary said defense, skill and perseverance are what led his team to lifting

of the CCHS tennis team are serious about their sport. For many of the teammates, it is the only extra-

The

said.

an honor to be No. 2 in the coach said, "and the girls should be proud of that." Alexander played against the returning state champion from Lexington for "It is quite

state," their

third state

its

title.

"During the season, we play one of the hardest schedules, with Providence High School twice and West Charlotte High School, both 4-A schools," the coach said. "We try to serve hard for points, and this group took it upon themselves to play good

They gave effort after effort," Erin Street, senior; and Brittany Zahn, junior, added to some of that effort for their team. Both have been playing the sport for several years defense.

and said that there was much pressure to come back this season with a 58-0 record, but through teamwork, they were able to bring home the championship. The "Great 8" Tournament with runner-up and returning state champions proved to be the impetus they needed for their winning season. After placing first, their season opener against Providence and the semifinal action against West Henderson High School, near Raleigh, were significant

games

game

beat her three focused,

just wanted to play. I love competiand the fact that we are playing for ourselves and the team." Prayer and teamwork are the two qualities that all of the girls said were part

and

realize

how

hard

a really close

made us we worked, and we had

and supportive team," Rossi

said.

Tans said that prayers in the huddle before a match or during a close match or particularly intense time have always

helped her.

strength to do

ask

God

my best."

to give

the

KEANE

volunteer treasurer for the United of Central Carolinas Inc. And the United Way-diocesan connection goes even deeper: Programa Esperanza is a diocesan program funded by the United Way. Programa Esperanza Supervisor Teresa Villamarin took the opportunity to share information on the partnership that allows outreach largely to a growing Hispanic population. In four years, Program Esperanza has helped with 3,174 cases. Sometimes, the agency is called on to "inform the

Way

Editor

—

CHARLOTTE knows

a thing or

The

diocese

two about the generosity

necessary to sustain

its

ministries. It takes

funding from many to ensure outreach provided by diocesan ministries.

On Nov. 27, Pastoral Center employees opened their own wallets to help others in the greater community. During the annual drive to support the United Way Campaign of the Greater Carolinas, diocesan individuals who help others on a daily basis gave a boost to their nonprofit neighbor. "Last year, 80 percent of the employees gave," said Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development, and this year's

English-speaking

community about our culture, to learn to differentiate that

we come from

continent, that we are not all alike." "In the Spanish community, we encounter [Issues of]

"We know

nator.

about the need for support to get things done. Likewise, the

United

Way

does

life-changing work in the community. With our work here in the diocese, we ask our parishioners (to

The United

give).

Way

turns to the greater community to

support

dif-

ferent parts of the

Pastoral Center United Way coordi-

Photo by Joann S. Keane

Programa Esperanza Supervisor Teresa Villamarin talks about the United Way funded program.

the laws of this country; what are the rights, regulations, the laws that will protect them, laws the they not inshould fringe," Villamarin said.

To center

the pastoral

Fout

staff,

because of you, because of the said, "It's

their

There is certainly a great partnership between the Diocese of Charlotte and the United Way of

good people that believe in making our community a better place. You do that not only through your gift to the United Way, but every day that you

the Carolinas, Inc., said Les Fout,

are here."

works."

campaign manager with the United Way. Father Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, recently completed service as

showed us that we could do it if we kept our heads on straight and stayed focused on the goal." Street spoke about their semifinal game: "The semifinals are always "It

Contact Editor Joann Keane by call-

ing

(704)

370-3336

e-mail

jskeane@charlottediocese.org

to jour

harder, and the teams have always

of their recipe for success. 'This

was very

JOANN

really pulled together that against Providence," said Zahn.

sense of confidence before a big game to quiet down, especially during intense moments," said Zahn. "They have to put forth the effort

for the team.

tion

times in the season.

reaches out to community

"We

really competitive. West Hendersonville was really a tough team, really strong athletically." Both of the teammates said that prayer and teamwork are important for them. "We pray the 'Hail Mary' before every game, and it gives us a

her state finals match:

Pastoral Center staff

been

•

every single day," said Leary. "We spend as much time on team unity as we do on practices. I encourage them to be a part of each others'

will is

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10 The Catholic News & Herald

December 7, 2001

Read mg$

Book Review

Books focus on FATHER GILBERTO CAVAZOS-GONZALEZ News Service

was drawn

—

Today" (Orbis Books, $9.60) been published

But

most popular medieval person in our day. Five new books about Francis join the writings about him that already abound in many languages and disciplines. So why do authors continue to write about him? Probably many writers are like James Cowan. In his book "Francis: A Saint's says he

—

A Message of Peace for the World

Francis:

(Liguori/Triumph, $19.95),

you read only one book

this

Assisi:

year

num-

a result his book has just enough well-

2001).

352

man of his time. At the House demonstrates that

stand Francis as a

time,

Francis also can transcend time and speak

pp.,

women. Most Unfortu-

Cowan's

nately,

FRANCIS

readers will

find House's

enjoyable

work to be and

thought-provoking reading. Franciscans

musings distract the reader from Francis' life

men and

to the hearts of present-day

$28.00.

persona,

reli-

gious information to help the reader under-

same

and Franciscan scholars, however, will be frustrated by his lack

story.

Novelist Valerie Martin in her marvelous book "Salvation: Scenes from the Life of St. Francis" (Knopf,

of footnotes.

It is

obvi-

ous that he did his research, but

would be

know

nice to

exactly

$24.00) says Francis calls out to contempo-

where he got some of his information and

rary people, "This

why

what I made of my life! Now go out and change your own!" Inspired by the Gozzoli

others.

trary,

Gerard Thomas Straub has written a

Father

Moon Over Assisi: With Francis and Anthony Messenger Press,

Franciscan,

home, 'The Sun and

lirde while,

whom

among

Union

here at the Catho-

work,

He was

we had

he should move to Memphis to assist his former wife in the care of their son, who has multiple handicaps. She had been raising their child, now a teen, by herself And so Ron resigned from his job as handyman and general helper here at the diocesan offices. But before he could make his move, word came that his wife had had a stroke involving both hemispheres of the brain. She was paralyzed and unconscious. And Ron was in the process of making his move. Ron came back for us to say goodbye to him with a little party. He stole the show, offering witness to God's faithfulness to him and to his wife and

he's

been

faithful

and

inspires us

the psalm says today,

'The Lord

in all this

protects strangers: the fatherless and the

widow he sustains." And

didn't

have any assurance of the fulfillment of his hopes and dreams, except the sense that God was in them. The dream that took him from us was a sense he felt he had from God that

Ron,

God

all.

the sort of

the Scriptures speak today.

didn't dress in fine clothes.

how-

Cavazos-Gonzalez, is

Theological

in Chicago.

4: 00 p.

6:00 p. m

Midnight

assistant professor of

Christmas Eve Masses

Come

us.

as for

in Isaiah: "Here your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared." And in James, "As your models in suffering hardships and in patience, is

•

brothers, take the prophets

who

spoke

name of the Lord." As for me, I take courage from

in the

friend

Ron,

who had the courage to seek

out his responsibilities toward his family,

was met with a heavier burden than

and took it all as a on him. If I learn to be that submitted to God's will by the time I die, I think I'll have learned all

he'd bargained for

sign of God's blessing

there

know of love.

QUESTION: Is there

ad of courage, service God is calling you to?

some

sacrificial love

and not

House's Francis

spirituality at Catholic

Personal Encounter (St.

prophet

But

following

Franciscan

could very well call contemporary Franciscans, men and women alike, to a renewed love for their founder and his interpretation of the Gospel way of life.

that can easily be used for

pilgrim journal on the saint, his friends and

Clare"

For a

indicates

well again.

News Service

Center where

Weekly Scripture

ever. Quite the con-

variety of themes.

his

The

off House's book,

Foreword by Karen Armsrron

both private and communal reflection on a

Catholic

Ron

making good progress, responds to family members and attempts to speak. Perhaps she will someday be

Matthew 11:2-11 By Jeff Hensley

lic

Memphis

family need not write

Adrian House

Martin writes scenes life

he highlights cer-

tain events

frescoes in Montefalco,

of Francis'

Recent e-mail from his wife

Psalm 146:7-10 2) James 5:7-10

not a scholar, yet his book demonstrates

ber of ancient and contemporary scholars.

House. Hidden Spring Books, Paulist

A Readings:

Isaiah 35-l-6a, 10

He admits he

written social, political, economic and

N.J.,

time in

at her bedside, reading her the Scrip-

3) Gospel:

that he researched the writings of a

FRANCIS OFASSISI: A REVOLUTIONARY LIFE, by Adrian

Third Sunday of

16,

his

tures and other spiritual materials.

a great job of situating

Francis in his time and place.

to Francis' fascinating

son, describing her as his best friend.

had been spending

Cycle

Revolutionary Life" by Adrian

House does is

December

Advent

House.

Cowan

Scripture Readings:

December

has just

English translation.

Sunday 16,2001

about Francis of Assisi it should be the enthralling historical novel "Francis of

Press (Mahwah,

Word to Life

theological reflection by Leonardo Boff 'The Prayer of Saint

Giovanni de Bernardone, better known as Francis of Assisi, is probably the

Way"

$29.95).

Reviewed by

Catholic

St. Francis

Children 's Children

Mass Mass

Bishop William G. Curlin,

Scripture for the Second Sunday of Advent, Isaiah

week

of Dec. 9

11:1-10,

Romans

15 Matthew

15:4-9,

3:1-12;

Monday (Second Week of Advent), Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 5:17-26; Tuesday (St. Damasus l), Isaiah 40:1-11, Matthew 18:12-14; Wednesday (Our Lady of Guadalupe), Zechariah 2:14-17, Luke 1:26-38; Thursday (St. Lucy), Isaiah 41:1320, Matthew 11:11-15; Friday (St. John of the Cross), Isaiah 48:17-19, Matthew 11:16-19; Saturday (Advent Weekday), Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Matthew 17:10-13

Scripture for the week of Dec. 16 - 22 Third Sunday of Advent, Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11; Monday (Late Advent Weekday), Genesis 49:2, 8-10, Matthew 1:1-17; Tuesday (Late Advent Weekday), Jeremiah 23:5-8, Matthew 1:18-24; Wednesday (Late Advent Weekday), Judges 13:2-7, Luke 1:5-25; Thursday (Late Advent Weekday), Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38; Friday (Late Advent Weekday), Zephaniah 3:14-18, Luke 1:39-45; Saturday (Late Advent Weekday), 1 Samuel 1:24-28, Luke 1:46-56

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The Catholic News & Herald 11

Cntertainmcnt

"The Sons of Mistletoe/' programming seasonal TV program may

Television

with an absentee dad after her parents

Now

divorced.

she arranges to store

and other

Yorkers" (read

a savvy businesswoman, sell

her father's department

real estate to a pair "villains")

of "New

and move on.

However, the personable Jimmy perdragging her to Mistletoe to see how the boys need their foster home and she begins to melt Wylie as well is won over by Jimmy's patience and how the other boys welcome him in their midst. Just as things begin to fall into place, Helen learns sists,

of note By GERRI Catholic

call for family By GERRI

News Service

NEW YORK

(CNS)

— Here

PARE

Catholic News Service

NEW YORK

are

some television programs of note for the week of Dec 1 6. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by the Office for Film and Broadcasting.

home for boys and

factor dies

his

Sunday, Dec. 16, 7-8 p.m. EST (ABC) "Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too." Animated tale of how Pooh must set off to the North Pole by foot to deliver a letter to Santa.

9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) "Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime of Dance." From the "American Masters" series, a profile of one of the great

The

its

foster

bene-

p.m.

EST on

movie has its

sell

sweet but contrived

Wednes-

Mistletoe," airing

right place, but is

when

daughter decides to

off all his assets in the

"The Sons of

—A

(CNS)

faces closure

day, Dec. 19, 9-1

Sunday, Dec.

time

PARE

its

CBS.

heart in the

constant predictability

a definite drawback. Nonetheless, the

is an appealing group of performers and the holiday theme is uplifting. Millionaire Mr. Radke, the founder and sole support of the Mistletoe foster

cast

home, has died and left all to his estranged daughter Helen (Roma Downey). Jimmy (George Newbern) grew up in Mistletoe and now serves as father figure to seven boys in residence. The latest arrival, Wylie (Scott Terra), is a sullen, motherless child who's hoping the local sheriff (Doris Roberts) will locate the dad he's never met, but in the meantime he wants no part in helping out as the other boys all do.

home from her contract with the buyers. As she looks at a Christmas scene of Christ in

the manger, she realizes the boys, too,

soon have nowhere to go unless she home and maybe her heart as

will

well.

Smart performances from the sulky and the kids at the

Jimmy

approaching the attracHelen about continuing to support the home as her father always had, only to learn she still resents growing up tries

tive but stern

home make

Nor

ers'

emotions.

the

New York

program view-

the assumption that

buyers are automatically

And

the narrative gets increasingly syr-

upy

Jimmy, Helen and Wylie draw At least Jimmy convinces Helen it is never too late to forgive someone, a good message in any season. closer to an entirely foregone conclusion.

and imagi-

9-11 p.m.

But the chirpy music

quite annoying in trying to

ruthless thieves justified or appreciated.

nation.

16,

the frequently contrived situa-

tions less irksome.

16,

for his abstraction, innovation

—

opens her

child, the father figure,

20th-century choreographers, acclaimed

Sunday, Dec.

she cannot exclude the sale of the foster

EST

The

(CBS) "A Town Without Christmas." Holiday drama about a TV reporter and a novelist who meet and fall in love as they search for a child who has written a disturbing letter to Santa; starring Patricia Heaton and Eric Roberts.

at,

and except

discreedy implied love as

Downey

visuals are quite nice,

easy to look

affair, it

may qualify

somewhat pleasant family viewing Pare

of the U.S. Confer-

director

ence of Catholic Bishops' Office for

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10-11 p.m. EST (A&E) "Healing and Prayer: Power or Placebo." An exploration of the role a

for a very

Film

and Broadcasting.

person's religious beliefs play in the heal-

ing process in light of the fact that 80

Classifications

percent of Americans believe that spiritu-

can help people recover from sickness and/or trauma. ality

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 8-9 p.m. EST (A&E) "Tony Blair." From the "Biography" series, a profile of the British prime minister, a 48-year-old Scot

rose to

who

rapidly

power and has forged a strong

relationship with the U.S. since the terrorist attacks.

Friday, Dec. 21, 8-9 p.m.

EST

By Catholic News Service (CNS) The fol-

CNS

photo from 20th Century Fox

Scene from "Black Knight" Actor Martin Lawrence appears before the court in a scene from the film "Black Knight." The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of American ratings is PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

—

(CBS)

Film and

"Behind Enemy Lines" (20th Century Fox) U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

—

adults, with reservaA-IV Motion Picture Association of parents are America rating, PG-13 strongly cautioned. Some material may be classification,

—

inappropriate for children under

We'll beat price...

Let us prove

"Black Knight" (20th Century Fox)

any advertised it!

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification, A-III

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—

adults.

Motion

Pic-

PG-13 cautioned. Some

ture Association of America rating,

—

Caring for Charlotte Area Catholic Their Hour of

Catholic Bishops' Office for

Broadcasting.

tions.

Carey." Special presents inspirational stories about adoption to raise awareness of this social issue, plus performances by Destiny's Child, Charlotte Church, Enrique Iglesias and Mandy Moore.

lowing are classifications of movies recently reviewed by the U.S. Conference of

—

"A Home for the Holidays With Mariah

Families

—

NEW YORK

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material

under

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may

be inappropriate for children

13.

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ture Association of restricted.

adults.

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Pic-

—

— 12 The Catholic News & Herald

December 7, 2001

& Columns

Editorials

Repent and be reconciled As we travel the road of Advent and steep ourselves in

The Pope

the spirit of the Scriptures, our constant companion central character of John the Baptist.

Speaks

This

Advent

the

Reflection

biblical figure

represents so powerfully the transition between the

Old

New

Testaments. He images the attitudes to be by one who is on this marvelous journey to meet the Lord once again on Christmas day. The qualities of John the Baptist are so worthy of our reflection and

and

cultivated

FATHER

emulation during these days of joyful anticipation.

POPE JOHN PAUL

John is a man of enviable simpUcity. He is totally unimpressed by the apparent importance of worldly power, prestige or pecuniary wealth. well that the true

power of the beUever

'useless spiral of death'

discovered in

and Love. John teaches that the essence of prestige or importance is exemplified by approaching Jesus with a spirit of meekness and humility. He proclaims that the ultimate meaning of wealth is in one's being touched and transformed by

Middle East

Jesus,

who

rich in mercy.

By CINDY

WOODEN

VATICAN CITY (CNS) "community must

Truth and the

News Service

— The

act to help Israelis

Paul

in early

international

and Palestin-

December, Pope John

II said.

"I feel

for the

the need to express

new

my deep condolences

victims of the absurd violence which

continues to stain the Middle East with blood," the

pope

said Dec. 5 at the

end of his weekly general

audience.

"With

a sorrowful spirit,

repeat once again

the fact that violence never resolves conflicts, but

only increases their dramatic consequences," he said.

Three Palestinian

bombings Dec. 1-2 two dozen people in

suicide

led to the deaths of more than

Palestinian targets in Ramallah,

two people were

who

the

Way,

the

Repentance includes acknowledg-

worthy of us as believers. It demands as well that we beg the forgiveness of Jesus for manifestations of our infidelity while, at the same time, resolving to turn our lives around and, thus, be more completely converted to Jesus and His Way. During this season of Advent, penance services are are not

being conducted in parishes throughout the diocese.

They

are settings within which

you and I might encounter the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The renewing readings and magnificent music create and cultivate an enriching environment enabling us to celebrate with enthusiasm our Faith in the compassionate, merciful, healing and forgiving presence of Jesus to each of us personally. It is important to remember, however, that individual confession and absolution are essential for and integral to the Lord

in the

Jerusalem and Haifa. The Islamic group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks, and the Israeli government responded by firing missiles on other towns;

Gaza City and and more than

trust in the Lord.

"Even when one is in anguish, the flame of must be held high because the powerful hand of the Lord will lead his faithful to victory over evil and to salvation," the pope said. The images in the psalm are strong, he said. trust

"The cruel adversaries are compared to a swarm of bees or a wall of flames reducing everysaid.

But the victory belongs to the just who are said, and "for this reason, the rejoicing over the victory over evil opens itself to a very evocative profession of faith: 'My strength and my courage is the Lord and he has been my salvation.'"

the one hand,

who

forgive those

turn to Jesus for

we commit

the other hand,

who have

in the Lord's Prayer,

During

words

sinned against us. that

speak so

"Forgive us our trespasses,

trespass against us."

this period

prepare for Christmas,

of active anticipation as

are invited and urged to

accept and assimilate the message of John the Baptist. Each of us should take seriously the call to humility

and repentance. In doing so, we are privileged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation within

which we encounter the merciful Lord. If it is to be a truly transforming experience, however, each of us must manifest the virtue of penance in relation to God and cultivate our commitment to exemplifying the virtue toward one another. Is it any wonder that the Church proclaims a spirit of joy on this Sunday even in the midst of expectation! The Christ who came among us two thousand years ago is in our midst today to share His healing love with you and me and to enable us to do as He has done.

we journeyed

into adolescence

enough

to beat her up.

Yet

when

that time came, the idea of beating up

sister

was much

couldn't wait to be big

less appealing.

was

(Andrew) presented a workshop at the Convention in Nashville on various ways to tell stories that connect us to the Sacred. Photography is one of the media by which we do this. As the saying goes, "A picture paints a thousand words." I shared with the audience an old photograph of my older sister, Lila when she was in kindergarten. The photo and the story behind it generated much interest. The story behind the picture is how my relationship with Lila transformed in our teen years and beyond. Somehow on the way to, adulthood I became her big

our mid-teens. Lila threw my head, which began to bleed. It was the only time our battles drew blood. I remember tending to my wound in the bathroom mirror and Lila standing behind me. Our eyes met through the mirror and, without words being spoken, we knew that this would never happen again. In the days that followed, Lila show extraordinary deference to me, as if to say, "I'm sorry" without actually saying it. In the final years of our teens and in our young-adulthood, we were good friends who shared much with each other (including bellbottom jeans). And along the way I became her protector in a way similar to my role with my younger sisters. I became her "big brother." Today our children can't fathom their Auntie Lila beating up their dad. This story for them, and for Lila and me, is one of transformation, reconciliation, maturation and hope. Without the interventions of our parents we took responsibility for our

brother.

relationship.

ANDREW &

TERRI LYKE

Guest Columnists

Sibling rivalries In September

Greeting English speakers at the audience, we look to the birth of the Prince of Peace, I ask you to join me in praying for peace in the world." In his main audience talk, the pope said Psalm 1 1 8 reminds believers of the truth that even in their darkest hour they must keep their faith and

In doing so, each of us lives the

frequendy

and might be viewed as a

essential that each of us cultivates

ourselves to forgiving those

Our

"May negotiations be restarted immediately so that the long-desired peace may finally be

the pope said, "In these days of Advent as

it is

forgiveness and healing.

death."

empowered by God, he

Reconciliation

exemplifies the virtue of penance.

physical development began to level the arena of our frequent skirmishes. I remember thinking I

Reflections

killed

reached," he said.

service.

In approaching and celebrating the Sacrament of

However,

Family

100 were reported injured in the attacks. Hours before the pope spoke Dec. 5, another suicide bomber blew himself up in Jerusalem, injuring three bystanders. Pope John Paul called on the international community to work with "greater determination and courage" to help the Israeli government and Palestinian leaders "to break this useless spiral of

thing to ashes," he

penance

ing sorrowfully those attitudes, words and actions that

ians stop the "useless spiral of death" resulting

from new attacks

Life.

celebration of the Sacrament even within the context of a

two-sided coin.

John is a man of renewing repentance. He, by his words and example, stresses the value and necessity of our being caught up continually in the on-going process of personal conversion to Jesus,

Catholic

HAWKER

Guest Columnist

understands so is

one's relationship to Jesus, the source of Life

Pops calls for end of

JAMES

and adulthood

NCCW

was notorious for being precocious and the essence of badness. She was so bad that she was expelled from kindergarten at our parish school. A year and three months older than me, Lila's reputation on the playgrounds of our youth was my shield against bullies who would otherwise pound me as they did the other nerds. Ours was a great sibling rivalry. Throughout In our childhood Lila

our early childhood she towered over me physically, socially and academically. One grade ahead of me, she set high academic expectations- from teachers. Her protection on the playground, however, didn't extend to our home life. While playground ruffians dared not push her younger sibling around, she took great liberty to do so almost daily at home.

shoe at

last fight

that hit

Perhaps with much less drama (and trauma), our children must make as they enter adulthood. Childhood rivalries don't have to this is a transition

characterize the relationships of adult siblings not if they take responsibility for their relationships.

Questions for Reflection •

How

has your relationship with a sibling changed

adulthood? •

What

•

Pull out yourfamily photo album (or box). Look at

childhood rivalries carry over in your adult

life?

the pictures

does

God

and

listen to the stories that

each

speak to you through the stories?

tells.

How

December 7, 2001

Light

One

Candle

her major health problems (she also has diabetes) than With the help of the Achilles Track Club, an organization for runners with disabilientering a marathon?

MSGR. JIM LISANTE Guest Columnist

Last place lessons

new

set

records at this year's

New York

Marathon. Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia beat the existing men's record by 1 8 seconds with his time of 2 hours 7 minutes 43 seconds. It was his first marathon win ever. Margaret Okayo of Kenya came in at 2 hours 24 minutes 21 seconds for a new women's course record. Later she said that for the whole run, "I was thinking about finishing the race and doing my best." That's probably true of the other 30,000 runners who gathered on the first Sunday in November to take on each other and themselves. It was certainly true for Zoe Koplowitz, who took part in her fourteenth straight New York Marathon. For the fourteenth time, she

came

admits she has "become a symbol of endurance" for thousands. Learning of her achievement, the Multiple Sclerosis Society asked her to be the ambassador for its annual fundraising walk. She has also participated in the Boston and London marathons. Ms. Koplowitz has become a popular motivational speaker and the author of a book, "Winning Spirit: Life Lessons Learned in Last Place." Over and over, she has been thanked by people with disabilities and all who are astounded by her persistence for reminding them that,

however

difficult, life is

Nobody needs

finish line until

Monday morning.

It always takes her more than 24 hours to cover the 26.2-mile race because she has multiple sclerosis and needs two crutches to go the

distance.

53-year-old has had for more than twenty years, but it was not until she nearly died that she decided to change her life. After choking on a vitamin pill and being saved by the Heimlich maneuver, Ms. Koplowitz "decided I needed to do the most outrageous thing I could imagine." What could be more outrageous for someone with

coming I

who

life

can be

why Zoe

Koplowitz's annual 26.2-mile

many.

"It's

mission to help people reinvent the way they think about 'winning'," she says. "I believe people run marathons every day of their lives in one way or another, and

we need to remember medals we deserve."

to give ourselves

says, 'What I do is a metaphor for life, marathon itself. It means you get somewhere by putting one foot after another."

She also

just like the

One

foot in front of another

way

the only

From

Msgr. Jim Lisante

the director

of the Christophers

concerned about the attitude of some friends their children to "believe in Santa

how

they're missing

to tell them.

FATHER JOHN DIETZEN

hattan.

believe,

like that.

devastation?

reduction to

zero?

The term "Ground

Zero" originated with the

weapons by the United States on Bikini, a Pacific atoll, in the 1940s and '50s. Ground Zero was the point on the ground directly beneath the point in the air where the bomb was detonated. The term has come to connote enormous damage in a confined area. By extension the term is used to detesting of nuclear

new

age.

"Ground Zero" serves well to describe a situation as close as we ever have come to having a nuclear bomb fall on us. Taken metaphorically, the term may come to mark the arrival in the literally,

All Christians believe

this, as

in the stable in

would claim

they believe that a

Bethlehem. Yet no

that the dominion of Christ

human

heart or diat die peace of

Thoughtful Christians

"Now

delighted and astonished every

ing to find a present so big that to hold

it,

and then leaves

takes

morn-

two stockings

a great deal outside;

it is

the

large and preposterous present of myself, as to the

can offer no suggestion except that Santa Claus gave it to me in a fit of peculiarly fantastic

origin of which

London Tablet. On Christmas morning, he remembered, his stockings were filled with things he had not worked for, or made, or even been good for. The only explanation people had was that a being called Santa Claus was somehow kindly disposed toward him. "We believed," he wrote, that a certain benevolent person "did give us those toys for nothing. And I believe it still. I have merely extended the idea. "Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the house, and the house on the planet, and the great

such a fantastic and playful bridge to infinite, unconditionally loving Goodness, the Goodness which dreamed up the Christmas event in the first place? Call Santa Claus a myth or what you will, but in his name parents, and for that matter all of us who give gifts at this special time of the year, are putting

faith blessed, countless

times

each other in deeper touch with the "peculiarly fantastic good will" which is the ultimate Source of it all. Plus, I

it's

fun!

hope your friends reconsider.

A free

brochure answering questions Catholics ask

about Ecumenism, intercommunion and other ways of sharing with people of otherfaiths is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 325, Peoria, IL 61651. Questions

may

be sent to Father Dietzen at the

address, or e-mail: jjdietzen@aol.com.

same

may wonder why.

Why

domination not wider? Why is his peace not more widely shared? Because, I would suggest, we Christians are surface celebrators. back off from the shattering truth of the mystery of Christmas. refuse to believe that Christmas is, quite literally, a is

his

reduction to zero.

Our God was

over, to have for their children (and for themselves)

"Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dolls and crackers, now I thank him for stars and street faces and wine and the great sea. Once I thought it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big that it only went halfway into the stocking.

tiiis

world.

great British Catholic author G. K. Chesterton in an

planet in the void.

Christ resides in every person and nation around the

good will." Are not parents of

...

anything redemptive

accepted by every

one has ever expressed this truth more movingly and accurately, in my opinion, than the essay years ago in the

Can anything good come of this

Is there

it's

Santa Claus,

have anything to contribute to the search for meaning on the part of Christmastime visitors to the rubbled remains of the World Trade Center in Man-

Christian

Columnist

too think they are missing something, very always risky to analyze fantasies, but maybe

worth trying for a moment. Fantasies, perhaps especially for children, are critical ways of entering a world, a real world, that is closed to us in ordinary human language and happenings. They are doors to wonder and awe, a way of touching something otherwise incomprehensible.

Now, with all the post-Sept. talk about Ground Zero, I wonder whether Gandhi's words

new age began

CNS big. It's

"There comes a time when an individual becomes irresistible and his action all-pervasive in its effect This comes when he reduces himself to zero."

ful."

What do you

think? (Florida)

to point to the Christmas mystery:

Isaiah's words (9:6) remind the faithful at Christmas Midnight Mass that there in the zero setting of stable straw they are looking at the "Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace ÂŁwhose] dominion is vast and forever peace-

Corner

almost infancy, they tell their children there a Santa and that it was all made up to sell

more things at Christmastime. I think

Christmas: Ground-Zero Time was struck years ago with the relevance to the mystery of the incarnation of these words of Mahatma Gandhi, who, of course, never intended them

United States of a new realization of vulnerability, contingency and dependency.

Question

want

something, but I'm not sure

Columnist

Taken

Claus.

isn't really

CNS

scribe the abrupt beginning of a

anyone gets anywhere.

question isn't very deep, but with Christmas

don't

to be told these days that

their very best effort.

That's

FATHER WILLIAM BYRON, SJ

Everyone who ran or watched the New York Marathon knows it. Anyone who looks at the nightly news knows about life's uncertainty and anguish. But for most of us, our greatest challenges will never come from the skies or the mail. It will come from within, from our own bodies and minds and souls. Either way, it helps to see the "everyday heroes" who do what they have to do to achieve their goals - or at least give

Chesterton on Santa

living.

painful.

the finishers'

The

worth

Around

woman

slow, determined walk buoys up so

in last.

Zoe Koplowitz did not cross the

Looking

she trained and got through the first marathon, ultimately crossing a deserted finish line. But in the ties,

years since, the determined

They

The Catholic News & Herald 13

& Columns

Editorial*

willing to be reduced to zero.

God-man, is the zero in and through whom and with whom God's power and glory are with us. We who follow Christ are, our hesitant hearts must come to acknowledge, called to lose out lives in Christ, the anointed one, the

whom

order to find them, to reduce ourselves or be reduced to zero so that the

power of God can move through

us to touch a tired world.

Reduction to zero frees the Christian to build and even battle in a world filled with intractable problems diat impede the pervasiveness of the peace of Christ This is the truth that separates surface celebrators

from true believers. This may be the truth that emerges from the ruins of the Trade Towers to open a new awareness of dependence on God, a new sign that Christians are making quiet progress toward Christian zero. The witness of Christmas simplicity may serve this year to keep hope alive, a hope that can find meaning in the devastation at Ground Zero.

14 The Catholic News & Herald

In brief... Seasonal and holiday gatherings to take place at Shelby parish SHELBY St. Mary Church, 818

Lay woman gives Bible class

McGowan Rd, will be having evening prayer (vespers) every Friday evening during Advent at 6:30 p.m. from Dec. 7On

GREENSBORO —

remembrance of

deceased children,

all

born and unborn, will be held at 6:30 p.m. For further information or questions, contact the church office at (704) 487-7697 or Mary Frye at (704) 538-7187.

Ringing in the New Year with prayer and meditation

MAGGIE VALLEY — All

to evangelize

call

Rogers; her

The St

College in Washing-

D.C Two days af-

Augustinian Friars will share in an evening of recollection, silence, community and prayer beginning with a New Year's Eve supper at 7:30 p.m. followed by a conference, faith sharing and midnight Mass. The evening will conclude with a social at the Augustinian Friary, and the retreat will end with brunch on New Year's Day. For registration and

polio,

the center at

e-mail

X parishioner talked about

life

ton,

926-3833 (828) lwcrc@main.nc.us.

Pius

ter arriving at Trinity,

WINSTON-SALEM

—A

first

died, leaving

husband

chancery

cepted the will of

without whereas

in Charlotte.

began

at-

The

Summer

Bible Institute at the Oratory

St.

Leo

Rock Hill, S.C She was inspired to share her knowledge with others by giving Bible

handbell, adult, and children choirs,

mu-

classes at St. Pius

service will feature a candlelight

sic for

by the

brass quartet and organ and con-

gregational carols. For details, call the

church

office at (336)

thanks

God

this

for everything, including a

summer," Pat Peek

me want

makes

said.

"She

to return over and over

again." "It

session, she said she

relapse of polio; for through this,

724-0561.

started corning to Kitty's Bible stud-

ies

At the Nov. 29

Said:

the Gospel story."

tending a Bible class each year, most often the

"All women can age with her through

Kitty Rogers

interested in Scripture, so she

Springdale Ave., on Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Joseph

through a dream that he should stay with Mary and the Christ Child. Mary is someone all women can identify with, Rogers

the birth of the Christ will be presented

Leo the Great Church, 335

question,

options before learning

Com-

than

God

started looking at his

of the

Life

today's

from Mary, who ac-

her to care

and for Rev. Msgr. Joseph Showfety at the

Service

empha-

how

Christians can learn

two daughters. Later, she married Frank Rogers at St. Pius X. She also worked for the church:

Community

Rogers sized

member

references,

today's world.

years ago, she became

procession, performances

Using Old Testament

for their

as a

Luke's and

Rogers showed how the Jesus of both Matthew and Luke is relevant to the communities to which he was presented. She then explained how these Gospels are relevant to

college career.

Her

St.

Matthew's infancy narratives, pointing out the differences between the two. Whereas the focus of Matthew's Gospel is Jesus as the Messiah who comes through the ancestry and house of David, Luke's Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah of and for the lowly.

which ended her

of Nine Lessons and Carols celebrating at St.

into the Scripture portion of

she was stricken with

mission at St Pius

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols to be presented in the Triad

Moving

the program, she compared St.

and about the Scriptures in the Bible study class she gave at The Franciscan Center in Greensboro on Nov. 29. All her life, even when obstacles were placed in her path, Rogers has been involved with her faith. Educated at St. Benedict Catholic School and Notre Dame Academy in Southern Pines, she earned a her

said

was very

Ann

spiritual

and

peaceful,"

Clyne. "Kitty's presentation

always a very special part of my day."

God

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seeking a full-time director to be responsible for all music activity in a church with over 2,300 families. Applicants must be fully competent in both organ and piano, and experienced in directing both adult and children's choirs. If you meet these requirements, please is

BELMONT time

—

For the seventh eight jears, the Fox Run

ICF/MR Group Homes

Holy An-

gels received a "zero deficiency" rat-

ing from the N.C. Department of Human Resources Division of Facilities Services.

The

"zero deficiency" rating

means Holy Angels meets

all

the stan-

dards set for Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded, and that Holy Angels provides exemplary services.

A two-member survey team spent two days observing in the three group homes, interviewing staff and parents, and reviewing records. Team members spend time observing the program and reviewing such items as individual habilitation plans, incident reports, nurse's notes, medication reports, and progress notes.

Holy Angels opened the Fox Run group homes in 1992. The ICF/MR group homes, or Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded, serve 18 children and adults who are medically fragile and have severe to profound mental retardation and multiple physical disabilities.

The survey team complimented on the relationships built with and added they observed a "mutual relationship of caring and giving" among the staff and residents. The team also praised the various day-to-day interactions observed, and the progress that the individuals staff

residents,

have made.

President/CEO Regina Moody commented that "a "zero deficiency" survey

a direct result of the high

level of care that

are committed

Holy Angels

to.

Our

staff

staff are

dedicated to providing unconditional love and recognize that our residents have unlimited possibilities. We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding staff here at Holy Angels. Holy Angels is currently building a fourth ICF/MR group home and will hold it's official dedication on Thursday, December 20, 2001. The home will provide continuing services for children who are "aging out" of the main center at Holy Angels. Martin, Boal, Anthony and

(704) 442-8881

Freelance Writers/Photographers: The Catholic News & Herald seeks experienced freelancers in all areas of the Diocese of Charlotte. Candidates should have professional writing/photography experience and be familiar with Associated Press style. Send non-returnable writing clips and photography samples to: Freelance Writer Search, The Catholic News & Heraid, P.O. Box 37267, Charlotte, NC 28237, or send e-mail to

zero deficiencies

and the world as he showed her how to lean on him.

easy for Kitty

helping others to un-

derstand Scripture.

Waters Catholic Reflection Center, 103 Living Waters Lane, to "welcome the New Year." The

call

Answering the

scholarship to Trinity

are in-

vited to attend Living

other information,

gift is

Holy Angels rates

has brought her to peace with herself

Correspondent

Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy

Innocents, a special memorial service in

GERALD POTKAY

By REV. MR.

—

21.

December 7, 2001

Around the Diocese

send your resume and salary requirements to: Music Ministry, Our Lady of Grace Church, 201 S. Chapman Street, Greensboro, NC 27403. .

Own a Computer? Work from home. Mailorder/E-commerce. $1000-$7000/month. Part-time, full-time. Free information. www.changeyourfuture4ever.com (888) 207-9771 Principal: Experienced principal for St. Anthony's Catholic School in Southern Pines, NC, to open Fall 2002. K-3. Minimum MA/MS. Expected to build curriculum faithful to the magisterium of Catholic Church. Salary based on experience. Please send resume to: St. Anthony Catholic School Principal Search, P.O.

Box

NC 28327. Deadline: Dec.

602, Carthage, 31st.

Teachers: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic

High School, located

Johnson Architecture Firm of

gia, is

Shelby and Pinnix, Inc. Construction of Gastonia are in the final stages of completion of this project. Celebrating a 45-year history, Holy Angels was founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy. The pri-

in Fairburn, Georseeking teachers in all disciplines for the 2002-2003 school year. Mercy offers an excellent teaching environment and well as competitive salary and benefits. Interested individuals should send resume and cover letter to: John Cobis, Our Lady of Mercy High School, 861 Highway 279, Fairburn, GA 30213.

vate, nonprofit corporation located

Belmont, NC, provides residenservices and innovative programs for children and adults with varying degrees of mental retardation and physical disabilities, some of whom are medically fragile. Other programs include the Holy Angels Residential Center, four in

Vice President, Mission: St. Joseph of the Pines, Southern Pines, North Carolina

seeking a Vice President, Mission.

We provide Long Term Care and Home Health and Hospice Care. The position has oversight for Mission, Pastoral Care and Ethics. Please send letter and resume to Mr. Mark Davenport, VP, Human Resources, St. Joseph of the Pines, 590 Central Drive, Southern Pines, NC 28387. Telephone: 910-246-3112. Fax: 910-246-3187.

tial

Community Group homes, Little Angels Child Development Center, Great Adventures, £amp Hope and Cherubs Cafe & Candy Bouquet in downtown Belmont.

December 7, 2001

TAG News

Bijtes

Georgia monks'

Committee infuses technology into ministry By

JOANN

KEANE

These are some of the areas

Editor

CHARLOTTE

—

In little

identified

with the goal of attaining the highest benefit impact, providing widespread

throughout the diocese,

than a blink of an eye, technology changes. Just as megabyte and gigabyte begin to settle in as daily terminology, words like terabyte

availability

loom on the horizon, and a kilobyte is yesterday's news. For the montechnology

are business proved, competitively

layperson, a byte is the basic unit

of storage

capacity in a computer system.

embrace technology, the Diocese of Charlotte and its appointed Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) are studying the tenets that reach and surround daily In an effort to

How

life.

technology can best serve

the people of the diocese

the opera-

The technology, plan will "adhow technology can effec-

dress

throughout the

tively be utilized

Diocese of Charlotte for the benefit of the clergy, employees, parishioners and other constituents to further the mission of the diocese," said

Weldon, chief

financial officer

for the diocese.

Most

recendy, the

TAC

ority tactical opportunities:

outlined pri-

10 priorities

that will take the Diocese into a

new phase

of technology implementation.

"Tactical opportunities," said Cavallo, a TAC volunteer and information technology director for the City of Charlotte, "are short-term projects that have an immediate im-

Guy

pact on improving the diocese's activities.

Our

and that are available "In these areas,

low

at a

cost.

we can recom-

mend and implement

solutions that

priced, lead to long-term

lower costs

of operations and improve communications," Cavallo said. Jerry Felten has a vested interest in the diocesan technology plans. As director of parish operations for St. Leo parish in WinstonSalem, the co-chair of the administration subcommittee is well aware of parish technology needs and how the plan will benefit not only his parish, but also the diocese at large. With St. Leo school renovations on the horizon, planning how to integrate technology is key to

TAC

tive directive.

Bill

The Catholic News & Herald 15

Around the Region

identified tactical op-

portunities are specific areas of tech-

nology where we see a significant gap between standard practices and our current computer technology implementation." Issues defined include e-mail, intranet, computer purchasing, technical support and website hosting.

their plans.

For Janice Ritter, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools for the diocese and co-chair of the TAC's education subcommittee, there's a natural infusion of technology into the diocesan mission that calls the faithful to "seek to become even more enthusiastically a leaven of service and a sign of peace through love in

concoction takes the

cake for holidays News Service CONYERS, Ga. (CNS) It has been said that there is no middle ground in the fruitcake war there are those who love it and those who cringe at the very mention of the traCatholic

But the

at the

Holy

Trappist Monastery of

Spirit in Conyers, Brother

Basil Arsenio

and

critic. The labor and efput into making the cakes have become a prayer for the monks who work in the bakery and the result

the harshest fort

—

a celestial creation.

Known

for their popular loaves of

monks work

in the bakery under a sign that reads "Give us this day our daily bread." For now, regular bread-making is on hold, and all their efforts are focused on fruitcake. According to Brother Basil, creat-

bread, the

ing a fruitcake was the idea of Abbot M. Basil Pennington.

diocese. initial

complete, it will enhance our abiliwe continue to pursue our mission," Ritter said. "We'll be able to be more effective and efficient, to reach more people, to provide more

idea,

with the help of an international

information through heightened

make

Contact Editor Joann Keane by call-

370-3336

(704)

Brother Basil developed a recipe

baker. "It

took us four to six months to

and develop it and which meant changes in everything from cooking times to variations on additives," he really

hone

really special,

said.

The HoneyBaked Ham

e-mail

jskeane@charlottediocese.org

Please

in a

A member of atigroupT Pirast; see the

tion

Program Disclosure Stalemeiil

lor

mere complete informa-

on Scholars Choice, including, a description of It* and expenses associated with an investment

risks, tees

care-lolly

;

ontohuhoii

limits,

the Plan Read

before investing.

Scholars Choice

Smith Barney

a service mark ol Salomon Smith Barney loc Salomon a registered service mark ol Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is

Barney

Inc.

Member NASD, SIPC

and

mix

inject

Two

hundred and

fifty

cakes are produced each week. Brother Basil said the batter for the cakes is made of butter, sugar,

SalomonSmith Barney ®

Ku?ma

it is

less

compared

some

fruit-

cakes.

"Some cakes use rum, which has a greater alcohol content," he said. "The alcohol keeps the cake moist and acts as a preservative. The shelf life on this is

quite long.

are doing tests

to find out exactly

The

how

now

long."

cakes are glazed, garnished

with two cherries and two large whole pecans, wrapped in cellophane and sealed.

The

cakes currently are available

at Atlanta-area

eggs (130 for every 85 cakes), flour, spices, honey and almond, and the fruit mix is a combination of cherries, pineapple, pecans, raisins, dates and almond flavoring. In a dark blue trough that can hold 250 pounds, the fruit mix spends three days soaking in peach brandy and golden sherry. Each fruitcake must weigh exactly 2 pounds. A digital scale is used for accuracy.

The

price

comes with other day.

the nonbaking days, they

fect fruitcake.

at (336) 721 -9221 for a free enrollment kit.

After they're baked, the cakes are to cool. They are then injected with six extra shots of the sherry and brandy. Though the alcohol content may seem high, Brother Basil said left

HoneyBaked

Ham

fruitcakes, but Brother Basil's cake

the alcohol needed to create the per-

Jeanne O. McCulloch

call-

367-2426.

Brother Basil's

from

batter, garnish the cakes

Financial Consultant

www.caroIinafuneral.com

Knights of Columbus

call

ing (800)

visit

Stores and through the company's catalog for $29.95. The Abbey Store at the monastery sells the cakes for $19.95 each.

704-568-0023

Member St. Matthew Church and

cata-

its

come

—

Introducing Scholars Choicef" a tax-advantaged program designed to help families save for a child's education. Get started today with as little as $25, and benefit from an account balance limit of $235,000.

To order a fruitcake

site at www.trappist.net.

decorative white tin, designed by Brother Alberic Farbolin. The tin bears a drawing of the monastery printed in green and encircled by the words 'Abbey of the Holy Spirit

Fruitcake

JILL

NC 28212

Owned

cakes

The monks bake every

Simplicity

Privately, Locally

The

Kitchen."

Affordability

Owner/Director

Co. began

marketing the cake through

Are you sure?

Dignity

Steven

discussion of the

ties as

ing

Web

Fruitcakes also can be purchased by

that

After an

communications."

Editor's Note:

the abbey's

"He had had experience with

technology plan

the

Cremation Center

Charlotte,

monks

fellow

Piedmont and Western North Caro-

Carolina Funeral &

5505 Monroe Rd.

his,

create a fruitcake sure to convert even

lina."

Are you doing everything you can to save for college?

— —

ditional holiday treat.

logs in October.

C C

ANDERSON

By ERIKA

other monasteries that were doing fruitcakes, and some that were having large sales from the fruitcakes," the brother told The Georgia Bulletin, newspaper of the Atlanta Arch-

"When

fruity

comparable to most

a special ingredient

—

prayer.

"This

about making Brother Basil, who

isn't just

fruitcake," said

has been at the monastery for 1 years and baking for six of them. "Right now we are focused on production and we are trying to smooth out the labor end of this and be efficient. It's the matter of becoming familiar with everything. Life is centered on prayer and once we are working at high efficiency, it becomes part of our prayer life." "You have to take the opportunity that God provides you for work, meditation and devotion," he continued. "Work is very important to tie together the spiritual with the physical. The key to life is harmony."

16 The Catholic News & Herald

December 7, 2001

Living the Faith

Dedicated Catholic solidifies

women's

Catholic

college to admit By LOU Catholic

faith life

News Service

PHILADELPHIA

through diaconate

(CNS)

nut Hill College, a Sisters of sponsored Catholic women's college founded in 1924, has

ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer

WINSTON-SALEM

— Rev. Mr.

Joe Schumacher is no stranger to the altar. He served as an altar boy until he was 22 in Downers Grove, 111. His parents, devout Catholics, supplied his faith foundation through Catholic elementary school and by example. Skills used on the altar as a young-

and which remained close

ster,

to his

various jobs to pay for his continuing education. His wife helped him in ev-

ery

way

she could. "(My earning) a degree in chemistry turned out to be a good thing because when Joe was in school and needed someone to type his papers, I could do it easily because I had the background," said Mrs. Schumacher, who earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from St. Francis Univer-

heart, resurfaced as

sity in Joliet,

Schumacher's

Rev. Mr. Schumacher began his life as a

graduate work was done with his first three children tugging at his legs. "It

perma-

nent deacon.

"They (my pargave me a good grounding in

was

ents)

faith,"

goal to earn my Ph.D.; I was the first

diocese's first diaconate class. His faith grew steadily throughout his life as he

matured

from

person on either side of my family to go to college."

in chemistry.

who

Rev. Mr. Joe

Co. chemist to concentrate on his min-

work in the church. Farmyard dawns are among Rev.

isterial

Mr. Schumacher's earliest memories. jeweler by trade, his father's farming was his second job. That pastime proved helpful when his profession dimmed during the Depression. Schumacher, one of nine siblings, had to feed chickens, pigs and geese; milk cows; and clean the barn. "The farming got us through that time because we were able to eat," he said. (My father) raised produce and chickens and went out to peddle them

money for the family. We had work hard and do chores before playing. It was a good lesson to learn to earn to

which affected my whole life. It was tough growing up; we didn't have anything and always had secondhand gifts, but my experiences enabled me to do what I am doing now." He graduated from high school in 1946 into a post- World War II country and witnessed and experienced major changes while studying chemistry at St. Precopius

Lisle,

111.

Illinois

He met

College,

now

Benedictine, in

his future wife, Vir-

on a double date with his older brother and one of Virginia's friends. The two fell in love, and their courtginia,

ship lasted through their scholastic careers.

They were married in 1950, after Schumacher earned his bachelor's degree, and moved to Columbus, Ohio, the day after their wedding. He received a fellowship to graduate school at

received

his master's and doctoral degrees

Reynolds Tobacco

known

both

farm boy to a father of nine and grandfather of 23, retired as

good experi-

had my research done quickly. It was

the

ence for me," he said. "I worked hard and

said the

deacon, ordained in

1983

111.

Ohio State University and worked

After that gruel-

Schumacher

ing schedule, completed in 1954, he took his budding family back to the Illinois farm for a short vacation. Before graduating, one of his advisors had given him an application for a job with Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Winston-Salem. He filled it out even

date group and attending the formation classes did not quell his musings

about his role as a deacon. However, the Schumachers said that their weekend classes were a time of growth and enjoyment for them both. "We were all groping our way, and we bonded through that experience. We looked forward to the weekends," Mrs. Schumacher said. Nearing ordination, he revealed his worries to the former diocesan diaconate director, Msgr. Anthony Kovacic.

"He (Msgr. Kovacic) said that the Holy Spirit would bestow graces on me," Rev. Mr. Schumacher said. "Since my ordination, I have never been more aware of God's graces. The important to me only after God, my wife and children and grandchildren. It blows my mind what I have been able to do, and people's response to that has been rewarding." diaconate

Contact Staff Writer Alesha

Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or email amprice@charlottediocese.org.

admit

will

men

gram beginning

its

Winston-Salem

Schumacher

"Everyone was really nice, and we were welcomed. We were only going to stay for two years but liked it and

in his

support.

community, and

much wider

The

audience."

college has offered coeducational

programs at the graduate level since 1980 and an undergraduate coed program for working adults since 1992. According to an earlier survey, only 3 percent of today's high school girls would consider a single-sex college. It also noted the decline in the number of women's colleges in the United States from 298 in 1960 to 65 today, 19 of which are

—

Catholic colleges.

While Chestnut Hill has not yet experienced a drop in enrollment, according to a release issued by the college, "the data indicates a steady decline

number of women willing to conwomen's college and the steadily eroding position of women's colleges which year after year are closing, mergin the

sider a

ing or becoming coeducational."

CHRISTMAS

IDEAS!!

Catholic Gift and

Book Store

had always been close to the

Lord and had been very involved

Cards, Ornaments, Nativities, Angels... plus Bibles, Religious Plaques, Medals,

CDs, and over 700 book

titles!

better

men

in the diocese.

subject in school

worst

was philosophy."

Acceptance into the

first

candi-

to edu-

St Joseph and Chestnut Hill's president, said in a statement 'In doing so we offer a tradition of excellence and a history of success to a

his wife's

ment." His pastor recommended that he apply immediately, but Schumacher thought that the ministry was not suited for him. "I thought there were

way

of the times," Sister Carol Jean Vale, a Sister of

did not expect a call to

through the years with various ministries. I always had a close relationship with the church," said Rev. Mr. Schumacher, who heard about the diaconate at Mass one morning. "I asked the Lord if he was calling me, and my wife thought that it would be something I would do after retire-

of 2003.

a responsible, proactive response to the sign

the permanent diaconate. "I

women in the 2 1st century is in a coeducational setting, and we believe this decision is

remained." His life was progressing in an orderly fashion, with more children, successes at work, involvement his church home, Our Lady of Mercy,

and

liberal arts

cate

said.

Chest-

Joseph-

undergraduate pro-

in the fall

could not pass up the opportunity.

"We moved

—

St.

announced

"Research indicates the best

though reluctance to move far away from home weighed heavy on his heart. The job offer came, and he

1954," Rev. Mr.

men

BALDWIN

Fax: (336) 273 2441 Phone: (336) 273-2554 Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday Greensboro, NC 233 N. Greene St.